Inkscape is a Free Software vector graphics editor (a.k.a advanced image manipulation). Like all other free softwares, this softwares still under constant development to compile in to a powerful graphic tool while being fully compliant with the XML, SVG and CSS standards.

Since Image editing being a diversified profession, the softwares is built on cross-platform application so that it can run on Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Unix-like operating systems; although optimized for Linux, which being the primary development platform. At present the software is capable of supporting Vector graphics features include basic shapes, paths, text, markers, clones, alpha blending, transforms, gradients, and grouping. Add on to it , Inkscape supports Creative Commons’ metadata, node-editing, layers, complex path operations, text-on-path, text-in-shape, and SVG XML editing.

It also compatible with various file formats like EPS, PostScript, JPEG, PNG, BMP, and TIFF for imports and exports PNG as well as multiple vector-based formats. The Inkscape movement gained momentum in 2003 as a extension of the vector drawing editor Sodipodi. Inkscape at this stage does not have as many features as the best commercial vector editors, but it is suitable for a wide range of applications. A lot of Inkscape’s feature are still in developmental stages like the implementation of SVG and CSS standards is incomplete; or implementation SVG filter effects, animation, and SVG fonts. But don’t worry, Inkscape is still in active development, with new features being added periodically.

Major Features of Inkscape are:

1. Object creation (pencil tool, pen tool, calligraphy tool rectangles, ellipses, stars/polygons, spirals, text tool, embedded bitmaps, clones)
2. Object manipulation (Affine transformations, Z-order operations, Grouping objects, Layers, Copying and pasting objects, Alignment and distribution commands)
3. Fill and stroke (Color selector, Color picker tool, Copy/paste style, A gradient editor capable of multi-stop gradients, Pattern fills, Dashed strokes, Path markers)
4. Operations on paths (Node editing, Converting to path, Boolean operations, Path simplification, Path insetting and outsetting, Bitmap tracing)
5. Text support (Multi-line text, Uses any installed outline fonts, including right-to-left scripts, Kerning, letter spacing, line spacing adjustments, Text on path, Text in shape)
6. Rendering (Fully anti-aliased display, Alpha transparency support for display and PNG export, Complete “as you drag” rendering)
7. Miscellaneous (Live watching and editing the document tree in the XML editor, Command line options for export and conversionsm, Perfectly compliant SVG format file generation and editing)